Cigarette-making machine



'March 12, 1929. w; F. GRUPE 1,705,012

CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 15. 1919 2 sheets-sheet 1 'g mvzmonBY W (L ATTORNEY March 12, 1929.

W. F. GRUPE CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 15. 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet2 R M h ha a III-Ill ATTORNEY W. Z Z f-lgENT OR Patented Mar. '12,:1929. 1

UNITED STATES v T 1,705,012 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. GRUPE, 0F HUDSON HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN'OR TO ENDLESSIBELI'JT 1 CORPORATION, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.' I

I CIGARETTE-MAKING MACHINE.

Application filed. October.15, 1919. Serial No. 330,689

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in cigarettemaking machines.

An object of the invention is the provision of new and usefularrangement in cigarette making machines for increasing the output permachine. Such new arrangement is at tained without material increase inthe overall dimensionsof the machine and without substantial increaseinthe number of'parts' requiring separate supervision, whereby the outputper operator is also increased.

In the most preferred forms of the invention the machine is providedwith a plurality of rod forming mechanisms, say two, positioned side byside, each separately operating in the functions of forming therespective cigarette rods, including the feedingof the paper strips,common means for severing the respective rods to form the individualcigarettes and a common hopper constructed and arranged to feedsubstantially like mix ture of tobacco to the respective paper strips.

The invention comprises further common means for regulating the speedsof delivery of the carded tobacco to the respective cigarette rodsforming mechanisms, combined with independently adjusting means forregulating the respective speeds of travel and delivery of the formedcigarette rods.

A further feature of the invention resides in the construction of thehopper for attaining an improved feeding of the charged tobacco, wherebyair gaps and other conditions of irregular feeding of the tobacco to thecarding rolls are precluded. In the preferred forms of my hopper, theeffective capacity of the hopper is increased without substantialincrease in the exterior dimensions of the hopper even with the use of aplurality of rod forming mechanisms.

In the most preferred form of hoppers embodying my invention, theagitation of the tobacco is attained by maintaining the com plete chargeor tobacco in uniform agitation.

Further features and objects of the invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following description and accompanying drawings, inwhich Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view taken centrallythrough a tobacco feed hopper and delivery chute embodying my in-'vention;

2 IS a detail front elevation of the driving mechan ism connecting themam drive shaft with the respective shafts of the rolls of the cardmgmechanism;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation of a hopper of modifiedformembodying my ina pair of oppositely disposed lateral frames or castings2, 2, (one only being shown) and may also comprise the oppositelydisposed side frames 3, 3, the latter embodying the hinge doors 4, at,as usual.

ithinthe hopper 1 is disposed the co acting set of carding rolls 5, 6,suitably mounted on the respective shafts 7, 8, suitably journaled inbearings mounted in the opposite frames 2, 2 and driven throughinterconnecting gearing by the main or auxiliary shaft of the cigarettemaking machine proper, as will be understood, said carding roll 5 beingdriven in one direction as indicated by the arrow 9 and the carding roll6 being driven in the similar direction, as indicated by the arrow 10.Such set of coacting rolls 5, 6, is provided with the pin roll 11mounted on its sep arate shaft 12 driven by suitable gearing in thedirection of the arrow 13. The coacting paddle wheel 14 is suitablymounted on a separate shaft and driven in the direction of the arrow 15.

Within the hopper 1 is also provided the set of'carding rolls 16, 17,mounted on the respectiveshafts 18, 19, and driven in a similar mannerby suitablegearing in the relatively opposite direction as indicated bythe respective arrows 20,21, The coacting pin wheel 22 is mounted on itsshaft 23 and driven in the direction of the arrow 24; similarly thepaddle wheel 25 is mounted on a suitable shaft and driven in thedirection of the arrow 26. The bottom of thehopper, in the form shown inFig. 1, comprises the arcuate plates 27, 28 in suitable relation withthe respective lowermost carding wheels 6, 7, andconstructed to performthe objects set forth more particularly hereinafter.

The hopper 1 is provided with be discharge openings 30, 31, with whichare associated the delivery aprons 32, 33 respectively.

In the particular cn'ibodiment shown in Fig. 1, the plurality of sets ofarding rolls function to deliver to a plurality of feeds correspendingin number to the delivery aprons, 32, 33 and in this instance the feeds34, 35, of approved type, are two in number and are arranged to deliverthe tobacco to the tube belts 36, 37, for the production simultaneouslyof two cigarette rods. Such tube belts 36, 37 are each of the usualconstruction and driven by suit-able actuating devices in coaction withthe corresponding number of the usual formin shoes whereby therespective strips of paper and the tobacco fed thereon aresimultaneously formed into the cigarette rods, which are cut by anyapproved severing means into the individual cigarettes. In a similarmanner, my improved hopl e is adapted for the use of a number ofdischarging aprons'greater than two in coaction with a correspondingnumber of tube belts for the simultaneous production of a correspondingnumber of cigarette rods. V

In Fig. 2, I have shown a suitable arrangement for driving the shafts ofthe aforesaid carding rolls and associated devices, this figure beingdiagrammatic for the purpose of simplifying the numberof partsillustrated. The main shaft of the cigarette machine is indicated at 40,provided with the pulley 41. Fixed to the main shaft 40, see also Fig.4, are the cone pulleys 42, 43, coacting respectively with theoppositely arranged cone pulleys 44, 45, by means of the belts 46, 47.The cone pulley 44 isfiXed on the countershaft 48 controlling generallythe drive of the set of cardin rolls and associated devices shown to theright in Fig. 1, whereas the cone pulley is fixed on the countershaft 49controlling generally the drive of the set of carding rolls andassociated devices shown to the left in Fig. 1.

Specifically, the shaft 50 is driven from the counter-shaft 48 bysuitable gearing, driving in turn by means of the chain 51 the sprocketgear 52, actuating the pawl 53 in the usual manner and intermittentlydriving the shaft 7 of the pin roll 5by the ratchet teeth 54. Suchsprocket gear 52 drives theshaft- 8 of the carding roll 6 by thesuitable gearing as indicated. The shaft 12 of the pin wheel 13 and theshaft 55 of the paddle wheel 14 are driven by the'chain 56, driven bythe sprocket 57, driven through suitable earing by the shaft 50, asindicated.

In a similar manner, the shaft 13 of the carding roll 16 is controlledby the counter shaft 49 through the chain 58 and associated sprocketgear and gearing by the shaft 50, thereby in turn driving the shaft 19of the carding roll 17. Similarly, the shaft 23 of the pin wheel 22 andthe shaft 59 of the paddle wheel 25 are controlled by the countershaft49 through the chain 60 and associated. sprocket wheels and gearing asindicated.

Thus, upon drive of the main shaft 40 in clockwisedirection, as viewedin Figs. 1 and 2, the shaft of the carding wheel 5 is rotated in thedirec ion of the arrow 9, its associated carding wheel 6 rotated in thedirection of the arrow 10, of the one set, and of the other set thecarding wheel 16 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 20 and thecarding wheel 17 in the direction of the arrow 21,

their other associated parts being rotated in proper relativedirections.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the carded tobacco fed to the'belt 32 isdelivered through the chute 34 onto the strip of paper 61, fed from theusual reel onto the tube belt 36 driven by the large pulley 62, see Fig.6, and usual associated rollers, tension devices and the like incoaction with the usual encasing mechanism for forming thecigarette rod63, such rod 63 being delivered into the receiver 64 and severed bysuitable cut-off mechanism of approved type and arrangement for severingthe cigarette rod 63 into individual cigarettes. Similarly, the tobaccofed by the apron 33, see Figs. 1 and 3 to the delivery tube 35 ischarged upon the strip of paper 65, fed and controlled by the tube belt37 driven by the large pulley 67, in coaction with suitable guiderollers and tension devices, in cooperation with a suitable rod formingmechanism, to producethe cigarette rod 68, delivered to the receivingtube 69, coacting with any approved cut-off mechanism for severing thecigarette rod into individual cigarettes.

As is set forth hereinafter, under conditions of equal speed ofproduction or de liver-y of the respective cigarette rods 63, 68, acommon cut-off mechanism comprising the rotary knife 105, as indicatedin Fig. 6, may be employed for jointly and simultaneously severing thecigarette rods 63, 68. It will be understood, however, that separatecut-elf mechanisms may be provided for severing the respective cigaretterods, such cut-off mechanisms being separately controlled by therespective shafts controlling the respective tube belts or controllingthe respective sets of carding wheels and delivery mechanisms of thehopper.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I have shown means for regulating the relative speedsofthe respective sets of carding wheels and associated devices forrespectively controlling the feed of carded tobacco in the forming ofthe respective cigarette rods. Such means comprises the threaded rods70, 7'1, suitably journaled in the end frames 72, 7 3, the threaded rod7 O carrying the shipper arm 74 controllin g the position of the crossedbelt 46 relative to the lower cone pulley 42 and the upper cone pulley44. Similarly, the threaded rod 71 is provided with the shipper arm 75for controlling the crossed belt 48 relative to its lower cone pulley 43and its upper cone pulley 45. The threaded rod is provided at one end.with the worm wheel 76 meshing with the transverse worm wheel 77 mountedon the regulating rod 78 provided with the connecting and disconnectingclutch 79. The regulating rod 78 is controlled by its regulating crankarm 80. Similarly, the threaded rod 71 is provided with the worm wheel81 meshing with the transverse worm wheel 82 carried by the regulatingrod 83 to which the crank'arm 80 is also fixed. The regulating rod 83 isprovided with the connecting and disconnecting clutch 84. For simplicityof arrangement, the regulating rod 83 is shown hollow and receivinginteriorly the regulating rod 78, the regulating rod 78 passinglooselythrough a central opening in the worm wheel 82.

In Fig. 6, the driving pulleys 6'2, 67 of the respective tube belts 36,37, are shown mounted on and driven by the common shaft 69, withseparate releasingspring clutches.

Normally, the clutches 79, 84 of the regulating rods 78, 83 respectivelyare in connecting position, whereby upon turning the regulating crank80, the threaded rods 70, 71 are adjusted by rotation in likedirections, thereby shifting to like extents and in the same directionsthe shipper arms 74, 75, and therewith the crossed belts 46, 47,relative to the sets oflike conepulleys '42, 44, and'43 45, thussimultaneously adjusting the speeds of the respective shafts 48, 49 andthereby controlling tolike degree the respective speeds of therespective sets of carding wheels for the two tobacco feeding devices.Upon desiring to adjust the belt 46 without disturbing the adjustment ofthe belt 47, the clutch 79 controlling the shipper arm 74 of the belt 46is moved to open po.- sition, while the clutch 84 is left in its normalclosed position and upon turning the crank arm 80 the threaded rod 71and its shipper arm are moved to the desired adjusted position.Similarly the belt 46 may be adjusted without disturbing the adjustmentof the belt 47 by moving the clutch 84- to its disconnecting positionand turning the crank arm as desired.

In the modified form of hopper shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of deliveryaprons 32, 33, is employed similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1and the agitation is further improved by the provision of pin orcorrugated rolls 100, 101, extending from the one side frame 2 to theopposite side frame'Z and in closely proximate relation to one anotherand to the lower carding wheels 6, 17 in lieu of the arcuate plates 27.28 of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.. The shafts of therollers 100,101, are driven by suitable gearing from the respective counter shafts48, 49, similar to the gearing shown in Fig. 2, for like rotatingparts'in the hopper. In such arrangement, as

appears in Fig. 3, such pin or corrugated rolls 100, 101, preferablydisposed between the tobacco collecting rolls 6, 17, serve to feedtobaccoto the tobacco collecting rolls 6, 17 and respectively indirections of tobacco feeding towards said tobacco collecting rolls, 6,17. The provision of such feeding rolls 100, 101, is particularlyadvantageous in precluding the accumulation of tobacco shorts in thelower portion of the hopper. Also, by reason of the opposite directionsof rotation ofthe feed ing means 100, 101, as shown by the indicatingarrows and respectively the same as the directions of rotation of thetobacco collecting rolls 6, 17, the portion of the tobacco chargedisposed between said tobacco collecting rolls 6, 17, is subjected toacirculatorymovementtending to prevent any voids between the tobaccocollecting rolls, and thereby subserving to maintain a substantiallyuniform pressure of the tobacco charge'on the tobacco collecting rolls6, 17.

The respective upper, intermittently rotated carding rolls 5, 6, may beprovided with the usual wipers 104 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. 1

With respect to the several forms of my hopper generally, it will benoted that the charge of tobacco positioned between the continuouslyoperated and intermittently operated rolls of the respective sets issubjected to forces of agitation of varying amount and of varying periodat any given location within the'hopper andfurther modifiedin variationof direction of such forces for the different 10- cations within thehopper. Thus, as the charge of tobacco progresses through the hop-. per,it is efiectively agitated to break up lumps of felted masses, topreclude the condition of air pockets and otherwise treat the charge oftobacco to mechanical operations to provide uniform delivery by therespective sets of carding rolls of streams of tobacco of substantiallyuniform amount and density.

Such improved feeding to the respective sets of carding rolls is evenmaintained under the condition of partial charge within the hopper, byreason of the maintenance of convtact of such partial charge of tobaccowith the respective lower carding rolls 6, 17 by reason of therelatively close proximity of the carding rolls 16, 17, as indicatedinFigs. 1 and 8.

From the above it will be clear that my invention enables the employmentof two or more sets of tube belts and associated cigarette rod formingdevices for the simultaneous production of a plurality of cigaretterods, without materially enlarging the overall dimensions of thecigarette making machine and without materially increasing'the duties ofinspection and supervision of the operator and thereby increasing theoutput per operator'as well as per machine.

It will also be apparent that by the use of the control oi the deliveryof tobacco to the respective rod forming mechanisms, the delivery of therespective rods may be made uniform, thereby enabling common and singleactuating mechanism for driving the respectice tube belts and permittingthe employment of common cut-oll mechanism for severing the respectiverods into individual cigare'ttcs.

Preferably, the hopper is enclosed a whole in sealing relation with theatmosphere and provided with automatic charging means similarly insealing relation with the atmosphere to retain the moisture and treatmesubstances for conditioning the tobacco.

, I have discovered that such sealing from the atmosphere preventsevaporation of the liquid content of the inherent and added moisture ofthe tobacco and of the treating substances.

The automatic conveyor or charging means is particularly useful inmultiple rod-forming machines and enables the effective over-alldimensions of the hopper to be reduced and at the same time deliveringsuilicient tobacco, to a single hopper to feed the plurality of rodlormi gmechanisms. Preferably, suchautomatic conveyor is driven in commonby the carding mechanism of the hopper and synchronizec relative to therate of charging and the rate of feeding of the carded tobacco from thehopper to the rod-forming mechanisms respectively.

in the particular embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the hopper 1 is providedwith the chute 112 enclosing the automatic conveyor 111 arrang d todischarge the tobacco substan tially centrally of the interior of thehopper, such automatic conveyor 111 being encased within the sealedchute 112 extending sullicicn close to the floor on which the wagons orbaskets containing the tobacco to be charged are placed, whilepractically excluding access of the air interiorly of the chute 119. Theconveyor 111 embodies buckets 113 suitably pivotally mounted on theconveyor chain 114-, the latter passing over the central set of sprocketgears 1.15, and the intermediate set of sprocket wheels 116, 117. Thelower pcrtitm oi the conveyor 111 is preferably arranged to be flexed toaccommodate for varying positions of the wagon or basket, and to dropautomatically under gravity as the pile of tobacco is reduced in thewagon or basket. is one form of arrangement, the set of sprocket wheels118 are provided, suitably pivotally hung from, the sides of the chute1E2, or other support, by any suitable means such as bearings for theshaft of the set of s; u'oclret wheels 1118 and connected to thelowermost sprocket w reels 119 by means of the opposite links 120. Eachbucket 113 is preferably provided with forwardly positioned andforwardly projecting teeth 121 for raking up the tobacco from the \vagonor basket into the bucket portion proper of each bucket 113. v

lVhereasI have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications maybe made without departin from the spirit of the invention, as defined bythe appended claims. r

I claim:

a 1. In a cigarette machine, hopper means; a plurality of sets ofcarding devices; carded tobacco collecting means for each set of carding devices; a tube belt for each carded tobacco collecting means; andcommon. means for driving said carding devices including means forseparately regulating the operation of said carding devicesrespectivelyby said common driving means.

2; In a cigarette machine, a hopper; a plurality of sets of cardingdevices disposed jointly in. said hopper; carded tobacco collectingmeans for each set of carding devices; a tube belt for each cardedtobacco collecting means; common means for operating said tube belts;and common means for driving said cardin devices in synchronism withsaid tube-belt operating means including means for separately regulatingthe operation of said carding devices respectively by said commondriving means.

3. In a cigarette machine, a hopper; a plurality of sets of cardingdevices disposed jointly in said hopper; carded tobacco collecting meansfor each set of carding devices; cigarette rod forming means including atube belt for each carded tobacco collecting means; 7 common means foroperating said tube belts; and common means for driving said cardingdevices including means for jointly regulating said plurality of sets ofcarding devices and further including means for separately regulatingthe operation of said carding devices respectively by said commondriving means.

4. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper; two sets of carding devicesdisposed respectively toward opposite sides interiorly of said hopper,each set including a carding roll and a pin 'roll; the spaceintermediate said sets of carding devices being free. from obstructionfor the reception of tobacco; means for rotatably mounting said cardingrolls Within said hopper; means for rotatably mounting said-pin rollsrespectively on a side of its carding roll opposite from the center ofsaid hopper, whereby to locate said pin rolls in a region not traversedby the charge of tobacco; collecting means for one of said sets ofcarding devices, separate collecting means for the other of said sets ofcarding devices; a tube belt coacting With said first-named collectingmeans and a separate tube belt coacting with said secondnamed collectingmeans.

5. In a cigarette making machine, a hopper, a set of carding device'sdisposed toward one side of said hopper said carding devices beingarranged respectively below one another in a. direction extending towardthe center of the interior of said hopper; a second set of cardingdevices being disposed toward the opposite side of said hopper, thecarding devices of said second set being arranged toward the center ofthe interior of said hopper; the upper portion of the central interiorof said hopper being free from obstruction and for the reception oftobacco; a pin roll coacting with said first-named set of cardingdevices and disposed on a side of a carding device of said first-namedset adjacent said first-named side of the hopper; a second pin rollcoacting with said secondnamed set of carding devices and disposed on aside of a carding device of said secondnamed set adjacent saidsecond-named'side of said hopper; means for collecting the cardedtobacco delivered from said firstnamed set of carding devices anddelivering the same exterior of said hopper; separate means forcollecting the carded tobacco from said second-named set of cardingdevices and delivering the same exterior of said hopper; a tube beltcoacting with said first-named collectin means and a separate tube beltcoacting with said second-named collecting means.

6. In a cigarette machine, hopper means; a plurality of sets of cardingdevices; carded tobacco collecting means for each set of cardingdevices; cigarette rod forming means including a tube belt for eachcarded'tobacco collecting means; severing means for said plurality ofsaid cigarette rod forming means; and common means for driving saidcarding devices including means for separatelyregulatingthe operation ofsaid carding devices respectively by said common drivmg means.

7. In a cigarette machine, a hopper; a plurality of sets of cardingdevices disposed jointly in said hopper; carded tobacco collecting meansfor each set of carding devices; cigarette rod forming means including atube belt for each carded tobacco collecting means; severing means forsaid plurality of said cigarette rod forming means; common means foroperating said tube belts; and common means for driving said cardingdevices including means for separately regulating the operation of saidcarding devices respectively by said common driving means. 7

8. In a multiple cigarette making machine, a hopper ;multiple cardingmechanism jointly disposed in said hopper; a plurality of cigarette rodforming mechanisms, each mechanism including an individual tube belt; aplurality of transferring meansfor transferring carded tobacco fromsaid. multiple carding mechanism to said tube belts respectively andmeans for controlling said multiple carding mechanism to therebyregulate Y in common the delivery of carded tobacco to said plu ralityof cigarette rod forming mechanisms and for regulating the delivery ofcarded to bacco to said plurality of cigarette rodforming mechanismsrespectively relatively to one another.

9. In a multiple cigarette making machine, hopper means; a plurality ofcardingmechanisms for said hopper means; an-individual cardingmechanism, each rod forming mechanism including an individual'tubebelt;'an individual carded tobacco transferring means for transferringcarded tobacco from its carding mechanism to its tube belt; severinmeans for said plurality of cigarette rod forming mechanisms; and commonmeans for operating said carding mechanisms, said tube belts and saidsevering means,.,said common operating means including individuallycontrolled operating means for said carding mechanisms respectively. I i

10. In a multiple cigarette making machine, hopper moans; multiplecarding mechanism disposed in said hopper. means ;;aplurality ofcigarette rod'forming mechanisms, each mechanism including an individualtube belt; a plurality of transferring means for transferring cardedtobacco from said multiple carding mechanism to said tube beltsrespectively; common severing means for said plurality of cigarette rodforming mechanism, connnon'means for driving said multi-. ple cardingmechanism, said tube belts and said common severing means and means forregulating the j operation of said multiple carding mechanism to therebyregulate in common the delivery of carded'tobacco to said plurality ofcigarette rod forn'iing mechanisms.

11. A cigarette making machine comprising a plurality of cigarette rodforming mechanisms, hopper means, carding mechanism disposed in saidhopper means, a plurality of means for transferring carded tobacco fromsaid hopper to said plurality of cigarette rod forming mechanismsrespectively and common means fordriving said cigarette rod formingmechanisms, said carding mechanism and'said plurality of carded tobaccotransferring: means, said common driving meansincluding means forvarying the delivery of carded tobacco from said hopper respectively tosaid plurality of carded tobacco transferring means.

12. A cigarette making machine comprising a plurality of cigarette rodforming mechanisms, hopper means, carding mechanism disposed in saidhopper means, a plurality of means for transferring carded tobacco fromsaid hopper to said plurality of cigarette rodforming mechanismsrespectively and common means for driving said cigarette rod formingmechanisms, said card cigarette rod forming mechanism for each ingmechanism and said plurality of carded tobacco transferring means, saidcommon driving means including means for varying the rate of operationof said carding mecha nism relative to the rate of operation of saidplurality of cigarette rod forming mechanisms.

13. In a multiple cigarette making machine, hopper means, a plurality ofcarding mechanisms jointly disposed in said hopper means each cardingmechanism including a pin roll for accumulating tobacco thereon; movablemeans disposed in said hopper means for feeding tobacco to said tobaccocollecting pin rolls respectively; carded tobacco transferringmeansrespectively for said carding mechanisms; and common means for operatingsaid carding mechanisms, said carded tobacco transferring means and saidmovable means including individually controlled operating means for saidcarding mechanisms respectively.

14. In a multiple cigarette making machine, hopper means, a plurality ofcarding mechanisms jointly disposed in said hopper means, each cardingmechanism including a pin roll for accumulating tobacco thereon; movablemeans disposed in said hopper means between said tobacco collecting pinrolls for feeding tobacco to said tobacco collecting pin rollsrespectively; carded tobacco transferringmeans respectively forsaidcarding mechanisms; and common means for operating said cardingmechanisms, said carded tobacco transferring means and said movablemeans including individually controlled oper ating means for saidcarding mechanisms re- I spectively. I

15. In a multiple cigarette making machine, hopper means, a pluralityofcarding mechanisms jointly disposed in said hopper means, each cardingmechanism including a pin roll for accumulating tobacco thereon; movablemeans disposed in a lower portion of said hopper means for feedingtobacco to said tobacco collecting pin rolls respectively; cardedtobacco transferring means respectively for said carding mechanisms; andcommon means for operating said carding mechanisms, said carded tobaccotransferring means and said movable means in cluding individuallycontrolled operating means for said carding mechanisms respectively.

16. In a' multiple cigarette making ma chine, hopper means, a pluralityof carding mechanisms jointly disposed in said hopper means, eachcarding mechanism including a pin roll for accumulating tobacco thereon;movable means disposed in said hopper means for feeding tobacco to andin directions to- Wards said tobacco collecting pin rolls respectively;carded tobacco transferring means respectively for said cardingmechanisms; and common means for operating said carding mechanisms, saidcarded tobacco transferring means and said movable means includingindividually controlled operating means for said carding mechanismsrespectively. I

17. In a multiple cigarette making machine, hopper means, a plurality ofcarding mech anisms jointly disposed in said hopper means, each cardingmechanism including a pin roll for accumulating tobacco thereon; movablemeans disposed in a lower portion of said hopper means between saidtobacco collecting pin rolls for feeding tobacco to and in directionstowards said tobacco collecting pin rolls respectively; carded tobaccotransferring means respectively for said carding mechanisms; and commonmeans foroperating said

